Elementary Algebra - Math 111
Spring 2005 – SC204
– MWF 10:00 – 10:50am
Text: Elementary Algebra (5th edition)
Dugopolski, Mark
Instructor: Shawn Chiappetta
Office: Salisbury Science Center
115
Phone:
575-2081
Email:
shawn.chiappetta@usiouxfalls.edu
Office
Hours: MWR 1:30 – 3:00 pm
T 9:00
– 10:30 am
Other times available by
appointment
Course Description:
This course is for students wishing to review the
fundamental concepts of elementary algebra before taking MAT 112.
Beyond facilitating the appreciation of the
underlying order of Creation, mathematics finds great utility in nearly all
fields of study, including the social sciences, business and economics, the
natural sciences and computer or information science. The course will
emphasize not only the rules (axioms) and techniques of algebra, but their
applications to “real”-world (i.e., authentic or word) problems.
Course Objectives: Through this
course, the successful student will develop:
1.
a solid understanding of
the fundamental principles underlying algebraic structures and real number
systems;
2.
the ability to evaluate
and manipulate expressions – including linear and quadratic expressions;
3.
the ability to solve
equations and inequalities involving integers, rationals, linear expressions, and
quadratic expressions;
4.
the skills and confidence
necessary to succeed in future mathematics coursework;
5.
a capacity for accurately
interpreting algebraic information, and clearly expressing mathematical ideas
and arguments in written and oral form; and
6. access to key modes of mathematical reasoning, including modeling, application, and especially abstraction.
Elements:
This
class will consist of 4 main elements: Lectures and classroom discussion,
attendance, homework, and exams.
Grades: Grades will be determined according to the standard grading scale: 100 – 90 = A, 89 – 80 = B, 79 – 70 = C, 69 - 60 = D and 59 – 0 = F. Distribution of pluses and minuses will be made at the end of the semester.
Individual exceptions to this grading policy are left solely to the discretion of the instructor and as a general rule, will not be made.
Academic Integrity: I encourage you to collaborate and assist each other. However, that assistance should be a knowledge exchange, not the replication of the work of another. Plagiarism (with or without the permission of the originator) defeats the learning process and jeopardizes your success in the course. Give each other knowledge, not completed solutions. The personal battles of working through the difficulties of assigned homework are the only way a student grows to competence. Copying the exam work of another is dishonest and a violation of the ethical standards of USF (www.usiouxfalls.edu/stuserv/misconduct.htm). Allowing your work to be copied by another is equally a violation. Penalties will include no exam credit for either student. All students who observe an incident of cheating have an obligation to confidentially report such to the instructor.
Disability Statement: The University of
Sioux Falls is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for students
with physical, learning, or other disabilities. Accommodations are made only in
consultation with the Coordinator of Disability Services. If you believe you
have a disability requiring accommodation in this course, contact Mrs. Libby
Larson, Coordinator of Disability Services, x6803. She will work with you to
secure proper documentation and to arrange appropriate accommodations
Attendance Policy: Faithful and consistent
class attendance should be considered the standard for regular coursework at
the University of Sioux Falls. Such attendance is important for both the
integrity of the course and the student's own sake. The responsibility for
monitoring student attendance is assigned directly to the instructor of the
course. The instructor will follow the campus attendance policy located
at www.usiouxfalls.edu/stuserv/attendancepolicy.htm
Schedule for the semester: The class schedule for the semester will be passed out in class as well as posted on the class website for students to plan. The schedule is a tentative schedule, and is subject to change during the semester. However, I will keep all exam dates the same as they are posted on the Schedule.
This syllabus results from the instructor’s effort to represent fairly the plan for this course. Circumstances may cause the instructor to make changes in the plan, but such changes will not be capricious and will be made in a timely fashion. Please speak with your instructor if there is anything in the syllabus about which you are unclear.
Tentative Class Schedule:
Friday,
Feb. 4 1.1
Monday,
Feb. 7 1.2
Wednesday,
Feb. 9 1.3, 1.4
Friday,
Feb. 11 1.5 Last Day for Changes
Monday,
Feb. 14 1.6
Wednesday,
Feb. 16 1.7
Friday,
Feb. 18 1.8
Monday,
Feb. 21 2.1
Wednesday,
Feb. 23 Review
Friday,
Feb. 25 Exam
1
Monday,
Feb. 28 2.2, 2.3
Wednesday,
March 2 2.3, 2.4
Friday,
March 4 2.5
Monday,
March 7 2.6
Wednesday,
March 9 Review
Friday,
March 11 Exam
2
Monday,
March 14 3.1
Wednesday,
March 16 3.2
Friday,
March 18 3.3
Monday,
March 21 3.4, Review
Wednesday,
March 23 Exam 3 Midterm Grades Due
Friday, March 24 – Sunday
April 3 Spring Break
Monday,
April 4 5.1, 5.2
Wednesday,
April 6 5.2, 5.3
Friday,
April 8 NO
CLASS Last Day to Drop
Monday,
April 11 5.4
Wednesday,
April 13 5.5
Friday,
April 15 5.6, 5.7
Monday,
April 18 Review
Wednesday,
April 20 Exam 4
Friday,
April 22 6.1
Monday,
April 25 6.2
Wednesday,
April 27 6.3
Friday,
April 29 6.4
Monday,
May 2 6.5
Wednesday,
May 4 6.6
Friday,
May 6 9.3
Monday,
May 9 9.7, 9.8
Wednesday,
May 11 Review
Friday,
May 13 Exam
5
Monday,
May 16 Final Review
Final
Exam -- May
18th @ 10:30am